One year has ended and another begins. At such an interstitial time of year it seems dually appropriate both to recollect and to imagine, to leaf through the memories, looking back on what has been accomplished, while simultaneously looking at the days ahead and wondering what the coming year has in store for us.

In retrospect we have the student accomplishments, family bonds, academic achievements and friendships made in the past twelve months, and before us we have an exciting influx of new minds and personalities, new events and occasions, new surprises and expectations. I can only speculate what lies ahead, but if this upcoming year is to be anything like the one that has just come to a close we can all prepare to be continually amazed at what student exchange offers and what it produces when students and families are brought together.

 Though I am relatively new at ISE, your humble editor has seen some amazing sights in the past few months. I have seen students come to this country and flourish academically. I have seen young people who make their countries proud, and honor ours with their achievements. I have seen young people adapt, grow, learn, and become involved. And I have seen them leave, hearts a bit heavy, eyes a bit misty, knowing that they leave a bit of themselves here and that their families send a bit of themselves along.

 I have seen our Regional Coordinators, Managers and Representatives, who work around the clock to attend to our students, come together to share tips and stories, all of whom have said goodbye to at least one student with whom they will never lose contact. I have even seen their children working up the courage to say goodbye to their new brother or sister, knowing full well that they will meet again, but each unsure as when or how it will be.

 In our collective future I see the continuation of an ever reaching presence in the global community. I see students and teachers and parents and friends who understand the value of cultural and academic exchange and the present and future possibilities of one day reaching our goal of global understanding and world peace. I see people who refuse to sit idly by as others go hungry, or make war with one another, or refuse empathy.

 And through all this International Student Exchange believe we can make tomorrow a little bit better for the generations to come. Each great movement starts with a single idea, a small step, and a commitment. If you have hosted before, our global network thanks you. If you are interested, do not hesitate to contact us and find out how you can be a host family for a student that wishes to see America and everything our country has to offer. And if you are a student, the world is waiting to hear what you have to say.

 We at ISE wish everyone a safe, happy,and healthy New Year, all the best to your families, friends and students, and hope for a better future through global unity.

In a touching farewell to his host family and friends, Brazilian exchange student, Jose Baiao, admitted that while adapting and adjusting to his life in America was by no means easy, it was an experience he says he will never forget.

Jose’s story is somewhat atypical in the sense that he came for a short stay and managed to take away so much. Despite the shortened time frame of the five-month program he entered, Jose made friends everywhere he went and tried hard to absorb the country around him.  When asked to describe his time here, he replied “In the beginning of my placement…it was not all that I was expecting it to be. Small town, five months without soccer…but five months later I really wish that I could stay.”

We always say that students who find a niche, who carve out a little nook for themselves within the community they are placed are the ones who have most success. In order to really become immersed in the program a student has to find ways to apply their skills and cultural understanding to the American way of life, and then they come to fully realize what the country and what ISE have to offer. Though he had to give up soccer, Jose took up football and adopted the hobbies of his fellow classmates and athletes, and his academic and athletic success have provided him with a host of memories to take back home: “I will never forget the…football games. I will never forget all the jokes. I will never forget Mtn. Dew! I will never forget anything. And…one day I will come back, and you guys better be here to see me.”

 Jose’s host family described him as a “model student” and they are sorry to see him go, but we know that when Jose finally boards his plane and waves goodbye, that it will not be the last time we see him. ISE wishes José and the rest of the returning students a safe trip and happy holidays. We cannot wait to see you again! Bon voyage!

International Student Exchange would like to extend a thank you and congratulations to Sampsa Isahatala and Luis Trinidade from the South West region for their success on the Panthers football team at Yellville Summit High school in Arkansas.  Both students have received a praiseworthy mention for their performance on the football team this year, honoring their coaches, host families, natural families, and of course International Student Exchange with their achievements. Sampsa was awarded 1^st Team All-Conference, and Luis was awarded 2^nd Team All-Conference, both high regards for any student athlete, but somewhat more notable in this case as neither student has ever played American football before coming to the United States.

To Sampsa and Luis, ISE salutes and congratulates your achievement, and we wish you a successful and happy remainder of the year with your host family and school.

Homecoming festivities are a time honored tradition in America, dating back to college celebrations in the late 1800s in which students and faculty welcomed back returning alumni. The week long revelry generally included dances, rallies, picnics, and football games during which school teams would face off against their athletic and academic rivals.

Today these celebrations take place all over America, but there may be some districts hard pressed to find a region that does it with the gusto and fervor shown in the Northwest. In states like Washington and Oregon, homecoming is the event of the year for students and citizens. Parades, games, dances, and all manner of festivities take place the whole week long, and at the end the King and Queen chosen by the student body will stand preeminently with their classmates and neighbors to celebrate another year and the return of their local heroes.

In Ephrata, Washington, for example, homecoming includes a week of rallies, themed dress up days, dances, and games in which students and teachers compete against one another for various prizes. This year was especially notable, as Ephrata took home their first football victory in several years against their longstanding rivals.

In the Northwest region as a whole, nine exchange students were named king and queen of homecoming at their respective high schools, and the exchange students had a chance to meet neighbors and former alumni from all over the country.

We at ISE wish the Northwest region and all regions across the U.S. a successful and productive year, and congratulate Ephrata on their recent victory.

International Student Exchange would like to congraulate Chinese exchange student, Tianhua Yang, for winning first prize in the Gesso Italiano (Italian Chalk) Competiton for his rendition of "Michaelangelo's Bust of David With Butterflies." The 2011 competition drew over 180 artists from all over the country, including many students from San Diego and surrounding cities. Winning in the division for "Best Educational Team," Yang not only took home the satisfaction of a job well done, but a small cash prize as well. Below are photos of his stunningly vivid portrait.

Please click the link below to read an excerpt from an article written by Neil Bostock, the husband of Regional Director Barabara Bostock, in support of continuing the exchange program at a time when the economic bottom line seems to take precendence to global understanding. This article appeared this past summer in Mr. Bostock's local newspaper, and we all feel strongly that his words are a very appropriate start to the revival of the ISE Blog Page. Enjoy.

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Recently a group of ISE exchange students in Utah attended their Merit Academy Graduation ceremony. We here at ISE are so proud of the hard work that our students put forth each year and we know that their efforts undertaken during these formative years will continue to demonstrate their commitment to leadership and excellence as we move forward in the 21st century. Congratulations!

This story comes direct from our Pacific Coast region where one of its German exchange  students has shined as a tennis prodigy. We are all delighted to see that ISE students have had such a positive impact on the towns in which they live. Congratulations!

*By Zach Urness of the Daily Courier*

  Chris Krause has come a very long way to play tennis for Grants Pass
   High School, so he's not about to let a few injuredribs and a gimpy
   wrist keep him out of the Class 6A state tournament.

   Krause is a foreign exchange student from Frankfurt, Germany, and
   also happens to be among the best tennis players in the state. The
   problem is that he's had some trouble staying at 100 percent.

   During the Southwest Conference district championships this past
   Saturday, Krause reached the semifinals and was playing a
   hard-fought match against Omeed Balou of South Eugene when something
   went wrong.

   "I went up to serve, and I felt something snap," Krause said. "I
   couldn't breathe very well and I knew something was wrong.


   "I didn't want to quit, so I served underhanded for the rest of the
   match."

   Krause made it through that match, but after a forfeit, he finished
   in fourth place. He said he'll be able to play at the Class 6A state
   championships, which begin Thursday at the Tualatin Hills Tennis
   Center in Beaverton, but it'll require a few augmentations to his game.

   "I won't be able to hit it as hard as I normally do," Krause said.
   "It will be more about hitting the ball in the (correct) spots. I'll
   be thinking before every point, trying to see whether (my opponent)
   has a weak backhand, or there's a spot on the court he doesn't cover
   well."

   Grants Pass coach Ralph Van Delden said not being 100 percent is
   fairly frustrating for Krause.
   "He's so disappointed" Van Delden said. "I think he'll still do
   pretty well, just because he's such a good player. But I think if he
   was totally healthy he'd at least make the semifinals. He beat a lot
   of the best players this (past) winter."

   Although the injuries have been a frustration — he also nicked up
   his wrist earlier in the year — Krause has had a memorable time in
   the United States.

   He said the fact that athletes in the United States represent their
   high schools makes playing sports more enjoyable.

   "I love playing sports here," he said. "In Germany, you play in
   clubs and there's no school sports. I love the way, in America, that
   everyone is behind you. The people in the school are always wishing
   you luck.

   "The first time I went to a football game I couldn't believe it.
   There were people with their faces painted the school colors and
   everyone was going crazy. You would never see that in Germany."

   Another benefit Krause has found in the United States is the ease of
   getting a driver's license. In Germany, he said it can cost upward
   of $2,000 to acquire. In the U.S., however, he can get a license
   that will work in Germany for a fraction of the price.

   "It's a great opportunity," he said.

   Krause isn't the only Caveman making the trip to the state tournament.

   The doubles team of Robby Hobbs and Trevor Van Delden also finished
   in fourth place at the district championships, and will face
   first-round opponents Stephen Schirle and Ryan McAfee of Barlow.

   Ralph Van Delden said he hopes both can win a couple of matches, in
   either the championship or consolation bracket, to build their
   confidence for the upcoming season.

   "The younger kids definitelyfeel the pressure," Ralph Van Delden
   said of the atmosphere of the state tournament. "So even if they
   don't win a ton of matches, it will still be a good experience."

   GRANTS PASS GIRLS

   The sole player to reach the class 6a state tournament on the girls
   side was Kelsey Frey, who finished in third place at the swc
   district championships.

   Frey won one match at this past season's state tournament before
   getting knocked into the consolation bracket, and said earlier this
   month that her main goal is just to win a couple more matches.

   Frey will face Krissy Moore of West Walem in her first match, but if
   she wins, she'll match up against the overall top seed, Sophia Bott
   of Southridge, at the Portland Tennis Center.

   "It's a tough draw, no doubt," Grants Pass Coach Rebecca Clark said.
   "But she's played very well lately, and she's certainly not going to
   lay down and die. She's a fighter, and you never know what can
   happen on any given day."

ISE's representative, Denise Rose, recently presented Mr. Baese of Ovid-Elsie High School in Elsie, Michigan with a plaque to thank the school for its continued dedication to the goal of student exchange. At ISE we are impressed by the support and commitment that schools have shown us year after year. Without individuals like Mr. Baese, student exchange would not have the strong foundation it does today. Thank you, Mr. Baese!

Periodically ISE will receive letters from natural parents expressing joy and elation over their child's success on a culture exchange program. This particular letter is from a proud mother who is excited to see her daughter mature on our program with the assistance of some excellent schools in Wisconsin. ISE is proud to represent such wonderful schools and will continue to promote a positive educational environment for its students now and in the future.

Laura had always lived in Palma de Mallorca, a middle-sized city in an isle in the Mediterran Sea. Life in Spring Valley seems to be very different from life in our city, moreover living with a family she had never met before was challenging, making friends was difficult at first, and she missed her family and friends very much, so I think that she had to make a greater effort to adapt than she had expected. I must say that as parents we are very proud of the effort she has made to adapt, study and do her best in every aspect. On the other hand, I am happy to say that the flexibility of your educational system, the wide offer and quality of your subjects and most of all the helpfulness and dedication of your school teachers and staff, are enabling her to follow her 12^th grade studies successfully, and I think it will be for her a good preparation for next year’s university studies in Spain. As you probably know, her objective is to be admitted into engineering university studies which, in Spain, require very high marks from high school and passing a difficult entry exam in june which she is trying to prepare from the USA, which also implies some extra work for her, but I hope everything will come out satisfactorily.

 I am also glad that Laura has been able to participate in different school activities and contribute in a positive way to their development. She has explained to us that she has participated in the dance team and other sport activities, she was invited to talk about our culture in the Spanish class and she has represented Spring Valley High School in the Science Olympiad regional team competition.

  My husband and I are sure this experience is going to be an essential part of her personal and academic education and we would like you to make extensive our gratefulness to all the teachers and school staff that she has been in contact with.

  Yours sincerely,

Myriam Fuentes Milani